The Marvel Universe Roleplaying Community - Independence Day

From: shield_topdog Date: July 7th, 2009 08:45 pm (UTC) (Link)

Nick pulled the bottle and a glass out from the cabinet and then grabbed a corkscrew. A moment later he had the bottle open and the glass filled. "Here ya go," he said as he offered her the glass.

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From: contessa_val Date: July 7th, 2009 08:56 pm (UTC) (Link)

Val took the glass, her fingers brushing his as she did. The fireworks were over outside, but there were still tiny flutters down her spine.

She carried the glass to the viewing wall anyway. This high up, there were a few stars to be seen.

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From: shield_topdog Date: July 7th, 2009 08:58 pm (UTC) (Link)

Nick poured himself a glass of whiskey and then joined her near the windows. "What made ya join S.H.I.E.L.D.?" he asked breaking the uneasy silence that had sprung up.

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From: contessa_val Date: July 7th, 2009 09:27 pm (UTC) (Link)

She looked at him sideways, gauging his level of interest in her story. "S.H.I.E.L.D. approached me about joining the training program not long after my parents were killed. My family has a history of patriotic and humanitarian service during times of war and other situations. I needed a change, a chance to be useful, and to honor their memory."

She took a sip of the excellent wine. "The recruiter was very persuasive."

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From: shield_topdog Date: July 7th, 2009 09:31 pm (UTC) (Link)

"They can be," Nick agreed. "Nice t' hear yer doin' it for a real reason an' not some damn fool idea about action an' adventure."

Nick took a long sip from his glass.

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From: contessa_val Date: July 7th, 2009 09:50 pm (UTC) (Link)

"I'd like to sound high-minded about it, but that's not why I'm here. If not here, it would be somewhere. S.H.I.E.L.D. offered a much broader base to work from, and better training all around. Shooting at things is just a bonus. The damned fools looking for action and adventure only get themselves killed first."

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From: shield_topdog Date: July 7th, 2009 10:32 pm (UTC) (Link)

Nick nodded. "That never changes. Happened back in the World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War...."

Nick was old and there were times when he felt it, like now.

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From: contessa_val Date: July 7th, 2009 10:46 pm (UTC) (Link)

She obeyed an unexpected impulse and reached out to touch Nick's arm. Her mother would do that when her father talked about the past and the things they'd been forced to do for the good of the many. She would touch him, ground him in the present, and the shadowed look on her father's face would lighten a little.

Val realized too late she'd overstepped, but tried to cover it by stepping back. "Is that why you're here?"

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From: shield_topdog Date: July 7th, 2009 10:48 pm (UTC) (Link)

Nick grabbed her hand before she could get to far away. "Bigger picture, honey. Can do a helluva lot more good here than anywhere else." He pulled her in.

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From: contessa_val Date: July 7th, 2009 11:00 pm (UTC) (Link)

"Colonel...Nick..." She went because she couldn't do anything else. Didn't want to resist. The few sips of wine couldn't take the blame for her behavior.

She tried again. "Round two should be in the gym."

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